The EASVO Young Network celebrated its 1st anniversary during its recent meeting on 9th May. Since one year, more than 30 committed young official veterinarians across eight EASVO Member countries established an initiative aimed at supporting early-career professionals within state veterinary services across Europe. This network operates a WhatsApp group and is prominently featured during the EASVO General Assemblies.
Discussions centred around the ongoing Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) situation in Europe.
Hungary and Austria remain vigilant, with the international labour movement suspected as a key factor in disease spread. The ethical debate over culling versus vaccination, especially in recurrent outbreak regions, will be addressed at the upcoming EASVO General Assembly.
Veterinary challenges in excluding companion animals like potbellied pigs and pygmy goats from the food chain were highlighted. The network shared experiences on animal traceability, strict veterinary medicine regulations, and the need for simpler policies. Members emphasised the value of the network for cross-country collaboration and knowledge exchange. Additional topics included bee movement regulations, TRACES certification updates, and concerns over violence against public veterinarians.
In addition to these efforts, the EASVO Workforce Investigation Report, adopted during the same assembly, highlighted the importance of work-life balance, part-time options for the younger generation, and the need for more role models and practical training opportunities in state veterinary medicine. The report also emphasised the development of soft skills such as communication and economics to improve career awareness and professional development among students and professionals in the field.
The Young EASVO Network will continue to meet every first Friday of the month during lunch break to focus on enhancing soft skills among its members, addressing challenges related to training, interagency collaboration, visibility, and recognition within the veterinary profession.
